They are aging healthily with this center, and they are being protected from Alzheimer’s and dementia

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Healthy Aging and Alzheimer-Dementia Patients Meeting and Solidarity Center opens the doors to a brand new life for individuals over 55 years old. By participating in various activities in the center’s 14 different courses, citizens who are protected from Alzheimer’s and dementia not only gain hobbies but also rejuvenate.
Individuals over 55 years old in Izmir rejuvenate with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Healthy Aging and Alzheimer-Dementia Patients Meeting and Solidarity Center. The center, with its 14 different courses, enables citizens to age healthily and also acts as a shield against modern diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia who come to the center also engage in brain exercises through various activities. Members who attend courses in different areas such as painting, ceramics, sports, chess, drama, thanks to the center, express feeling like they are 18 years old.
“We provide services at full capacity” The center’s manager Tülay Hepoğlu, who hosts different activities every day, stated, “We have 14 courses in our center such as sports, ceramics, chess, handicrafts, drama, waltz, painting, and English. We organize activities here to reverse Alzheimer’s and dementia. We offer brain development courses. Currently, we serve at full capacity with 1150 members and 5 Alzheimer-dementia patients. We do not turn down those who want to register at our center but instead take their contact numbers. When our members do not come, we follow up with them.
“I am 18 years old!” Retired literature teacher Aysel Şener said she participated in the drama section of the center. Stating that she feels like she is 18 years old, Şener said, “I have been coming here for 3 years. I had done theater when I was a student. I do these activities lovingly and willingly. People become more social and at peace with themselves. This place is very fulfilling for people. Aging healthily is very important. You can say ‘you are 78-80 years old’ to me, but I am 18 years old when I read poetry. People do not feel their age or the bad situation they are in. You forget everything. The older the people coming here, the younger they feel.”
“I congratulate myself” 78-year-old housewife Sabiha Temizkalp, who attended the drama course, said that she gained her personality at the Healthy Aging Alzheimer Dementia Center, stating, “I used to be introverted. This place relaxed me. I attend courses in every field. I congratulate myself for doing these things at this age. I am surprised by myself, but I really enjoy it.”
“Since I have seen these ages, it means this place has been good for me” The oldest member of the center, 93-year-old retired pilot Kayhan Koçgir, said, “I have been coming here since 2008. Since I have seen these ages, it means this place has been good for me. I participate in painting courses and choir activities at the center. A friend of mine passed away due to dementia. I know the effects of this disease and I believe that being here is beneficial for this disease. Everyone should have one or more hobbies to make life colorful.”
“We are rejuvenating here” 71-year-old housewife Methiye Damar, who develops herself in the field of painting, said among the members. Damar, who has been coming to the center for about 9 years, said, “I do ceramics and painting. We socialize, have a great time with our friends. I come here feeling uncomfortable at home, but my energy rises when I enter the class. We age healthily here. We raised our children, discovered our talents here. Sitting at home and contemplating makes you worry about things, but everything is forgotten here. This center and our instructors have a great contribution to us. We are rejuvenating here.”
“It turns out I have craftsmanship” 65-year-old retired chemistry teacher Kezban Onuker, who attends the ceramics course, said that such activities are very important for protecting against Alzheimer’s and dementia. Onuker said, “I have been coming here for a year. I didn’t know I had craftsmanship, but it turns out I do. Doing new activities contributes to a person’s happiness and healthy aging. We don’t know how time passes here. We do fantastic work.”
Transportation is provided At the center, there are 14 different courses including sports, ceramics, glass painting, translator, English, mind and intelligence games, rhythm, modern dance, drama, handicrafts, Turkish Folk Music and Turkish Art Music Choir, painting, and jewelry. In addition, the center provides its members with health, physical activity, nutrition, and first aid training. Daily programs such as attention measurement and sports activities, physical activities, psychomotor exercises, model making, and wood painting are organized for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. In addition to 5 Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, 1150 center members receive education from instructors from the Public Education Center, private tutors, volunteer teachers, and university students. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients are picked up from their homes by a vehicle departing from Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Eşrefpaşa Hospital and taken to the center, and they are taken back home by the same vehicle at the end of the day. Furthermore, psychological support practices are applied to family members who care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.